Sq. Enix’s Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster Sequence sequence debuted on PC and cell again in 2021. Since its debut, we have seen a number of fixes and updates with the video games making their approach to consoles together with Xbox Sequence X|S as the latest platform to get the video games. Practically 4 years since debuting on PC and cell, we noticed one other main replace for the video games within the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence arrive this month for all platforms. Given the staggered launch throughout platforms even for updates, issues are loads higher now. I am going that will help you determine which model of the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence is one of the best for you with the video games in contrast throughout consoles, PC, and cell protecting visuals, efficiency, load instances, and options.
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I’ve performed the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster video games since they hit iOS and Swap throughout all platforms together with the most-recent Xbox and Apple Arcade releases. For the aim of this function, I’ve retested the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster video games on Nintendo Swap OLED, Steam Deck OLED, ROG Ally (Z1 Excessive), PS5, PS4 Professional, Xbox Sequence X, iPhone 15 Professional, iPhone 12, iPhone 14 Plus, and iPad Professional (2020).
Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence defined
For those who’ve in some way not stored up with what that is, Sq. Enix aimed to supply the definitive remastered model of the primary six Last Fantasy video games with the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence. By updating Last Fantasy I, II, III, IV, V and VI to trendy requirements and making them playable on trendy platforms, this bundle was an enormous step up over the missing variations of FF5 and FF6 from 2013 and 2014 that are not value even pondering of proper now.
This sequence did much more although with redrawn sprites, backgrounds, shade adjustments, a background music association, high quality of life options, cheats, and far more. The top result’s nice albeit with some technical variations throughout platforms. Earlier than attending to these, the Pixel Remasters sadly aren’t the definitive variations since some content material from prior ports is lacking.
Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster options by platform – PC, cell, Swap, Xbox, and PlayStation
Once I began engaged on this text again in November final 12 months, I needed to put it on maintain due to the numerous video games releasing that I used to be protecting round that point. This sequence had fairly a number of variations throughout platforms again then, however issues are very completely different now. When Sq. Enix up to date the Steam variations of the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence with the 1.2.0 updates (1.2.1 on cell as of March 28, 2025), I resumed engaged on this text with the belief that we would be ready a very long time for the brand new updates to hit different platforms. Sq. Enix shocked me by then updating the cell releases with beforehand lacking options and the brand new ones. They then up to date all console variations as effectively. Earlier than attending to what function or platform variations are left, I’ll recap how the video games have been patched since launch:
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Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster launch timeline
- July 2021: Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence debuts on PC and cell with FF1, FF2, and FF3.
- September 2021: FF4 launches for PC and cell.
- November 2021: FF5 launches for PC and cell.
- February 2022: FF6 launches for PC and cell.
- April 2023: Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster with FF1, FF2, FF3, FF4, FF5, and FF6 launches on PS4 and Nintendo Swap bringing new BGM,font, and recreation enhance/help choices.
- January 2024: Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence on PC and cell will get up to date with the brand new console port options, however the BGM and font choices are unnoticed of the cell releases.
- September 2024: Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence launches for Xbox Sequence X|S and Home windows through the Microsoft Retailer as a Play Anyplace title.
- January 2025: Last Fantasy 1 Pixel Remaster launches on Apple Arcade.
- March 2025: Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence will get up to date on Steam with new options and fixes, the cell variations are up to date quickly after with these fixes along with the lacking choices, and the console variations are additionally up to date with 1.2.0 a number of days later.
So with all platforms now at 1.2.0, are there any main variations in options and content material between the platforms?
Nicely, proper now there are not any function variations apart from some platform-specific variations. All variations now have the enhance choices, background soundtrack toggle possibility, and basic font possibility along with all different game-specific adjustments and additions. The most important function variations are:
- Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Swap: The hybrid nature of the platform enables you to play it on the go or docked at residence. Having the ability to put a recreation like this in sleep mode can be an ideal function for resuming later.
- Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Xbox: This being a Play Anyplace title means you possibly can play it in your Xbox Sequence console at residence and in addition entry your save again on Home windows PC to play in your laptop or on a transportable PC just like the ROG Ally. The Xbox model additionally helps Fast Resume which is nice to have in video games like this just like the sleep function on Swap.
- Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster on PlayStation: This model affords Trophy help and is playable on each PS4 and PS5 through backward compatibility.
- Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster on iOS/Android: The cell variations are probably the most moveable choices out there with each contact and controller help. Additionally they have cloud saving between gadgets to play on say an iPhone after which proceed on iPad and again.
- Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Steam: This model stays one of the best because it enables you to mod out a number of the quirks and technical points nonetheless current along with being playable throughout PC handhelds and improbable on Steam Deck.
Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster font choices – basic, trendy, and mods
As of this writing, all variations of the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence embrace the basic and trendy font choices. The trendy possibility stays ugly, however the basic possibility remains to be not good. In case you are proud of the Traditional font possibility, keep on with it. For those who aren’t, try our information on modding in some extra font choices to the Steam model right here.
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Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster – scrolling points defined
The most important problem that’s current in each model of the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster no matter platform is the scrolling problem. It is a persistent really feel of judder or what makes the sport not really feel clean when the digicam strikes. The rationale this occurs is as a result of the characters transfer at 80 px/sec which is quicker than the sport’s personal body price. The repair for this might be Sq. Enix patching the video games to have motion at 60 px/sec or 120 px/sec to be double the goal. One possibility can be uncapping the body price utilizing mods on PC to 80, however I did not check that.
The simplest approach to discover that is to see how the digicam motion is horizontally versus diagonally. The motion velocity strains up higher when transferring diagonally. One instance is whenever you play FF5 and are on the Chocobo early on. This particular state of affairs is an efficient approach to spot the opposite efficiency problem that’s current in some platforms when taking part in the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster.
The motion on the Chocobo in FF5 feels completely clean on PS4, PS5, Xbox Sequence X, and PC. On older cell gadgets and on Nintendo Swap, there are some extra stutter points right here. The video linked beneath from AustinSV on YouTube from about 0:58 into it does a wonderful job of showcasing the technical points within the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster which are current even right now:
Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster visuals and efficiency variations throughout PC, console, and cell
Along with scrolling points detailed above which have an effect on each single model of the Pixel Remaster video games on each platform, a number of platforms have a further performance-related problem. That is very seen within the opening of FF5 whenever you get on the Chocobo. Evaluate how the motion feels then and whenever you aren’t driving the Chocobo. It is a good check case even for the scrolling problem as I cowl above, however when driving the Chocobo, the PlayStation (PS4 Professional and PS5) and PC variations scroll completely with no judder or random hitching points each few seconds.
There may be minor hitching on the Swap, cell, and Xbox Sequence X (and Microsoft Retailer on Home windows) variations. I am shocked it hasn’t been addressed in any respect on the cell variations given how previous they’re now, and that there was no trace of an replace to repair it. I am additionally disenchanted that even a number of ports later, the Xbox model shipped with this problem nonetheless current. I initially thought this was only a efficiency problem we see in some Unity video games on Swap or older cell gadgets, however after it occurred even on iPhone 15 Professional after which Xbox Sequence X, I think about this has to do with one thing different than simply horsepower. I am unsure whether it is associated to the identical problem we noticed within the latest Tremendous Monkey Ball recreation as detailed by Digital Foundry earlier than it was patched.
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On paper, the Xbox model can be my favourite since I can play it on my Xbox Sequence X after which pickup my progress to play handheld on my ROG Ally. I used to be shocked to see the Microsoft Retailer or Play Anyplace model on my ROG Ally have the identical hitching problem whereas the Steam model doesn’t. Once more, this is not one thing that could be a dealbreaker for a lot of and whereas some may not discover it, I am disenchanted to see one more state of affairs the place the identical recreation has points when working off the Microsoft Retailer model versus it being high quality on Steam. To recheck this particular hitching and confirm it’s not current in all variations, I used my cellphone’s gradual movement digicam and captured motion throughout the PS5, Swap, Xbox Sequence X, ROG Ally, and Steam variations at 120fps.
There’s yet another problem that impacts the PC model when you play the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster video games at a refresh price that is not 60hz or 120hz and mainly not a a number of of 60. On the Steam Deck LCD, it performs completely, however the OLED mannequin with its 90hz show has the identical problem I bumped into with the Suikoden remaster for instance. The repair for that is capping your OLED display screen utilizing the fast entry menu to 60hz. This limits the difficulty to only the scrolling one I cowl beneath.
Some would possibly surprise if these points are even value mentioning and detailing, however after so many ports, remasters, and re-releases over time, Sq. Enix ought to do higher with its premier franchise. The entire level of this bundle was to be one of the best variations of the basic Last Fantasy video games. To see such fundamental technical points stay not solely within the unique launch, but in addition after a number of platform ports and updates could be very disappointing.
Which model of the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence is one of the best?
As of the 1.2.0 replace that’s now out there on each platform, there is no such thing as a main function distinction between the platforms. The very best model of the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence is the Steam model particularly since you possibly can mod it and repair the few remaining technical points and in addition get completely different font choices or different mods based mostly in your preferences.
When taking the efficiency points under consideration, the PC and PlayStation variations of the video games undergo primarily from the scrolling points whereas the cell, Swap, and to a lesser diploma even Xbox Sequence X variations even have extra efficiency points. That is current on trendy cell gadgets just like the iPhone 15 Professional as effectively sadly.
Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster issues nonetheless current in 2025
As for what I hope to see Sq. Enix repair since they’re nonetheless updating the video games on all platforms, the precedence remains to be the scrolling problem plaguing each single model on each platform. Past that, I might hope the extra efficiency points current on cell, Swap, and Xbox Sequence X will be resolved. Given the significance of Last Fantasy to Sq. Enix, it’s good to see patches this a few years later, however once more, we actually should not have needed to wait so lengthy for fundamental fixes within the case of some platforms given the premium value.
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Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster bodily launch editions
For individuals who like proudly owning bodily variations of video games, particularly for Last Fantasy releases like I do, there are some things to bear in mind concerning the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster bundle. The Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster bundle has a bodily launch solely on PS4 and Nintendo Swap. It bought one round launch by means of the Sq. Enix Retailer bundles. Since then, it had an Asia Swap launch (pictured beneath) and in addition an everyday retail launch in North America and Europe. The latter is the most recent SKU for it, and sadly not one of the bodily releases have all updates on disc/cartridge. The Asia Swap launch has reversible artwork however no stickers. The most recent North American / European launch has a sticker sheet however no reversible artwork. Whereas I do not see it taking place, this bundle deserves an Xbox bodily launch as effectively.
Which model of the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster do you have to purchase?
Everybody has their very own priorities for what they need, so I’ll record the benefits and downsides of each single model beneath:
- Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster on PlayStation: For those who care about trophy help or do not care about moveable play, that is one of the best console model to get.
- Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Xbox: In case you have entry to a PC handheld or play on each Xbox Sequence consoles and PC, the Play Anyplace function is an enormous promoting level along with the Fast Resume function, however the hitching problem holds this again a bit.
- Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Nintendo Swap: The hybrid nature of the Swap is the most important promoting level for the Pixel Remasters on the platform, however that is additionally held again by the hitching problem proper now.
- Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster on Steam: Having the ability to mod the video games and repair a number of the lingering points is the principle draw of this launch along with them taking part in wonderful on Steam Deck.
- Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster on iOS: As of the newest replace, the iOS (or Android) model of the video games is at function parity with different platforms, however the hitching problem remains to be right here. This model is value getting when you play loads in your cellphone or have Apple Arcade within the case of the primary recreation.
Hopefully this helped you determine the place it’s best to get the Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence of video games and when you already personal it, bought you to replace or redownload and revisit this set of video games. I am wanting ahead to hopefully revisiting these video games after we doubtlessly get one other massive replace. It will be nice if a number of the lingering points will be mounted so there are much less caveats to recommending these basic RPGs for contemporary platforms.
The Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence of video games is now out there on Xbox Sequence X|S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Swap, iOS, Android, and PC (Steam, Microsoft Retailer). We have now full walkthroughs of Last Fantasy I, Last Fantasy II, Last Fantasy III, Last Fantasy IV, Last Fantasy V, and Last Fantasy VI. Try all our different guides protecting the entire Last Fantasy Pixel Remaster Sequence right here.